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Case Reports
. 2021 Mar 10;16(5):1144-1147.
doi: 10.1016/j.radcr.2021.02.026. eCollection 2021 May.

Epiploic appendagitis - a rare cause of acute lower abdominal pain

Affiliations
Case Reports

Epiploic appendagitis - a rare cause of acute lower abdominal pain

Shivam Gaur et al. Radiol Case Rep. .

Erratum in

Abstract

Epiploic appendagitis is a rare cause of acute to subacute lower quadrant abdominal pain. It has 2 subtypes: primary and secondary Epiploic appendagitis. Primary epiploic appendagitis is characterized by inflammation of the epiploic appendages caused by torsion or thrombosis of the draining vein of the appendage whereas secondary Epiploic appendagitis may occur in association with other inflammatory etiologies in the abdomen and pelvis. Due to its similarity to other causes of acute abdomen, patients with primary epiploic appendagitis often undergo unnecessary treatment with antibiotics and surgical intervention. We present a case of a middle-aged male who was diagnosed with primary epiploic appendagitis based on imaging studies and was successfully managed with conservative treatment.

Keywords: Acute abdomen; Computed tomography (CT); Epiploic appendagitis; Lower quadrant pain.

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Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Computed tomography scan of the abdomen and pelvis (axial view) showing a 2.8 × 2.1 cm fat density ovoid structure adjacent to the anteroinferior margin of junction of descending and sigmoid colon, demonstrating a high-density ring with mild surrounding inflammatory fat stranding and thickening of the adjacent peritoneum.
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
Computed tomography scan of the abdomen and pelvis (coronal view) showing a 2.8 × 2.1 cm fat density ovoid structure adjacent to the anteroinferior margin of junction of descending and sigmoid colon, demonstrating a high-density ring with mild surrounding inflammatory fat stranding and thickening of the adjacent peritoneum.
Fig. 3
Fig. 3
Ultrasonography scan of the lower abdomen shows a hyperechoic lesion with hypoechoic rim measuring 2.8 × 2.1 cm in the left iliac fossa.

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